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First ever state’s financial assistance given to journalists

IMPHAL | Aug 6 : Information and Public Relations minister, Thongam Biswajit today handed over the first ever financial assistance to three media persons at his office chamber.

The assistance was provided under the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme (MSJWS), department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).

The scheme was launched formally on June 30, 2017 at City Convention Centre, Imphal by chief minister, N. Biren Singh as an important programme of the new government’s 100 day’s achievement.

The three media persons who received the benefits of the scheme are, senior correspondent of Information Service Television Network, Churachandpur, who received a onetime ex-gratia amounting to Rs. 2,00,000, former staff reporter of Sangai Express, (Late) G. MuanthangNepram Tombi Meitei, who received a medical assistance amounting to Rs. 1,00,000 and editor/publisher of Lamka Post, Th. Thangzalian, who received a medical assistance amounting to Rs. 1,00,000.

While handing over the cheques to the media persons, Biswajit said that the government is acknowledging the hardships and dedication of the media persons. “The important role being played by this fourth estate is necessary more than ever in this fast changing world. This government recognises the immense contribution which is why the scheme was launched as an important programme of the new government’s 100 day’s achievement”, he said.

For the scheme which was formally launched on June 30 last, the government made a contribution of Rs. 10 crores towards the Corpus Fund of the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme on May 5 last year. The scheme provides onetime financial or medical assistance to the journalists and their families. The scheme was constituted under DIPR and is administered by a committee and the committee reserves the right to reject or accept any application without assigning any reasons to the applicants. Assistance would be extended depending on the committee’s satisfaction regarding the eligibility/merits of the cases and the financial resources available for the purpose. A Journalist shall be eligible for relief from the scheme, provided that he or she is a citizen of India, he or she is ordinarily resident of Manipur, he or she should be accredited to the government of Manipur, and journalists who are not presently accredited to the government shall also be eligible for relief from the scheme if they have been journalists as defined under these guidelines for a minimum period of ten continuous years.

The assistance available under the scheme upto Rs. 2 lakh may be provided to the family under extreme hardship on account of death of the journalist, upto Rs 2 lakh may be provided to the journalist in case of permanent disability rendering the journalist incapable of earning a livelihood, and upto Rs. 1 lakh may be provided towards the cost of treatment of major ailments such as cancer, renal failure, heart ailments requiring by-pass/open heart surgery, angioplasty, brain haemorrhage and paralytic attack, any of the ailments which is permissible for full re-imbursement under the medical re-imbursement facility of the government. This would be subject to the medical expenditure not being covered under CGHS, or any other insurance/departmental health schemes and others. However, relief under the provision is available to the journalist only upto the age of 60 years and upto Rs. 50,000 may be provided in case of accidents causing serious injuries necessitating hospitalisation. This would be subject to the medical expenditure not being covered under CGHS, or any other insurance/departmental health schemes and others.

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